Mail-bag crane



E. G. LIVESAY.

MAIL BAG CRANE. APPLICATION FILED APR. 7l |919.

Patented June 29,1920.

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E. G. LIVESAY.

MAIL BAG CRANE.

APPLICATION msn APR. 7. |919.

1 344:, 9 1 2 Patented June 29, 1920.

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E. G. LIVESAY.

'MAIL BAG CRANE. APPLICATION FILED APR. 1919.

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E. G. LIVESAY.

. MAIL BAG CRANE.

I i APPLICATION FILED APR. 7, '1919. 1,344,912. A l Patented June 29, 1920.

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E. G. LIVESAY.

MAIL BAG CRANE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 7, 1919.

* Patented June 29, 1920.

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UNITED STATES PATENT oEElcE.y

EVERETT G. LIVESAY, OF lPRINCETON, WEST VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T0 SAFETY MAIL CRANEr COMPANY, 0F CHARLESTON, WEST VIRGINIA, .A CORPORATION OF WEST VIRGINIA.

MAIL-BAG CRANE.

Application mea Apru 7, 191e. serial No. 287,959.

To 'all whom t may concern lBe it known that I, EVE'RETT G. LIvEsAY, a citizen of the United States, residing 'at Princeton, in the County of 'Mercer and State of West Virginia,fhave invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail- Bag Cranes, of which the following is a specification. I

My invention relates to improvements in mail bag cranes. Y

An important object ot the invention is to provide 4a mail bag crane, having arms which are adapted to be set substantially parallel to the track and are swung toa position at substantially a right-angle to the track, 'upon the approach of a train, such crane having means to laccelerate its starting movement, so the arms 'are swung to the inner position, in proper time to meet the catcher carried by the train, the movement of the crane decreasing as the arms approach the inner position, whereby the 'apparatus is relieved of undue shocks upon the stopping of the same. l Y

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby theA crane Ymay be moved or turned by a plurality offweights, passing over pulleys, and which are supported to automatically shift with the crank ofthe crane., Y Y

'A further object of the invention is to provide adjustable means whereby atleast one of the arms of the crane may be shifted longitudinally of the post of the crane and locked to the same inthe adjustable position for connection with lInail bags of different lengths. ,l y

A. further object of the invention is to improve the 'construction of the't'rip apparatus, simplifying the same, and rendering it strongenh l Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course ofthe following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and'in which like numerals are employed to 4designate like parts throughout the samef 'A Figure lis aside elevation of the mail crane embodying my invention, showing the same associated with the track trips;

Fig. 2`is a plan view of thev same;

Fig. `3 Ais an enlarged side' elevation of the traire, parte being broken away, and

y Specification of Letters Patent.

Y parts being in section for the Patented une 29, 1920.

' u purpose of illustration;

Fig. 4 1s a horizontal sectional view, taken Fig. 5 is a similar View, taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3; Y l

F ig. 6 is a vertical sectional view, taken on line 66 of Fig. 3; Y

`Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side elevation of the track trip;

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view, taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a similar view, taken on line mail coach showing the apparatus carried thereby for operating the track trip or ramp.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 15 designates railways of a track, secured to the cross ties '16, in the usual manner.

The numeral 17 designates a crane disposed uponone side of thetrack, and at a suitable distance therefrom` This crane embodies a casing or housing 18, which Vis rigidly secured to certain of the cross ties 15, which may be extended for that purpose. Thecasing 18 is provided with a closed top 19 provided with an upstanding flange or bearing 20, rotatably receiving a sleeve 21, carrying a fcap 22, whichy overhangs the bearing 20 and protects the same to prevent rain, snow, or the like 'entering the space between thebearing 2O and the sleeve 21.

The numeral 23 designates a vertical prefy -erably tubulail support or post., extending Vthrciug'h the sleeve 20, and rigidly secured Y cou linfr 30 as shown at 32 to swiner in a v b 7 5 2D vertical plane with relation thereto. The

coupling 3() prevents the arm from being.

swung down beyond a substantial lhorizontal position, while this larm is swung to a vertical position, -when released, by a Weight 32', secured to the free end thereof.V Arranged beneath dthe upper arm 31'is a coacting Yvertically swinging arm 33, pro'- vided at its inner end with a lateral extension or crank 34, adapted to clamp against the post 231 The inner end of the arm 33 is pivoted, as shown at 35, with a vertically adjustable sleeve 36, slidably receiving the post 23. As more clearly shown in Fig. 12 this sleeve 36 is provided with a longitudinal groove 37, receiving a longitudinal key 38, rigidly secured to the post 23, whereby this sleeve is Vfree to move Vlongitudinally of the post 23 but cannot turn with relation thereto. v

As more clearly shown in Fig. 10, each of the arms 31 and 33 is tubular and hasV fingers 39, pivoted therein, as shown at 40, such lingers being adapted to partake of restricted horizontal swinging movement within an opening 41, the inner end of these fingers being tapered,V as shown at 42. Spring clips 43 are secured to the top and bottom of these lingers 39, and engage with the rings or loops 44, carried by the opposite ends of the mail bag 45. Jforegoing description, it will be seen that the lower arm 33 may be vertically adjusted to the desired position, by moving the sleeve 36 longitudinally of the post 23, whereby the arms 31 and 32 may be arranged at suitable distances, for receiving and,i holding taut the mail bag 45 of any ordinary length.

The mailbag exerts an upward pullV uponv the arm 33 which tends to swing upon its pivot 35, whereby the crank or cam 34 clampsV against the post 23, thereby locking the sleeve 36 against upward movement. VAs soon as the mail bag is pulled from the arms 31 and 33. these arms assume vertical positions, thereby providing ample clearance upon the side of the train.

Means are provided' to turn the crane, upon the approach of the train to the same,

` whereby the arms are swung from a position parallel to the track. to a position ata right angle thereto. lSuch means comprises a horizontally swinging crank 46, rigidly From the Y secured. to the post 23, within the casing 18, as shown at 47. This crank is provided at its free end with an eye 48, for connection with a pair of cables 49, which pass about grooved pulleys 50. These grooved pulleys are pivoted in horizontally swinging carriers 51, in turn pivoted to stationary brackets 52, by tubular pins 53, such pins extending through depending extensions 54 of thebrackets.V The brackets 52 are rigidly secured or bolted to the casing 18, as shown at 55. The cables 49 extend through the tubularA pins V53 and areconnected with bolts 56, which are adjustably mounted VVwithin openings 57 formed in the upper Vend These weights `have main 62, and are adapted to regulate the tension of the springs 60, when the weights 5 8 are drawn upwardly sufficiently-to contact Vwith the extensions 54. It might be stated at this point. that when'the arms of the crane are swung in either direction to assume a position parallel to the track, as shown in Fig. 2, one weight 58 is elevated 'so that it contacts with the lextension 54 and places the spring 60V under compression. AIt will be seen that when the locking means, to be described. lwhich holds the post 23 against Vturning movement. releases the post, the post is turned rapidly upon its longitudinalY axis at the vstarting of its movement, for such turning movement 1s then effected by the combined force of the weight 58 and they i expanding action of the spring. However, when the weight moves downwardly, a slight distance or approaches the lower end of its travel. the function of the spring 60, as above indicated, ceases and the turning movement of the crane is slower. being due solely to the action of the weight. When the weight reaches the end of its down travel. the spring 60 then functions to absorb the shocks in the stopping of the weight.

l The meansto lock the postV 23 against Vturning movement when the arms are set in sists of a reciprocatorv bolt Y61 mounted to reciprocate within a housing 62', as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. This bolt has a tapered end 63, adapted to'enter openings or notches yeither position parallel to the track. con- 64. formed in the head V26, at preferably Y diametricallv opposite points. The bolt 61 is connected with a preferably tubular rod f 65, by a coupling67. This rod 65 extends through an opening in 'the wall 68 of a housing 69. whichis bolted to the crossties 16, inwardlv of the casingor ,housing 18.

as shown. The compressible coil spring 70 surrounds thek screw threaded portion 71 of the rod 66, and contacts with the nut72, enf

gaging the screw threaded portion, this nut being adapted to be locked in an adjusted position by a lock nut 7 3. The opposite end ef the screw threaded portion 71 has screw threaded engagement with a head 74;, provided with elongated .slots 75 receiving bol-ts 76, carried by bell crank levers 77, pivoted at 178. These bell crank levers have pivotal connection with rods 79, extending in opposite directions 'of the crane and parallel with the track, fer connection with trips or ramps 80,`to be next described.

These trips are arranged upon opposite sid-es of the crane at suitable distances therefrom such as 90-feet. Each trip comprises a pair of inclined rails 81, preferably Tnrails shown in cross section, as shown in Fig. 9. These rails 81 extend downwardly toward their outer ends, and these outer ends are pivioted, .as shown at 82, with fixed brackets :83, secured to the cross ties. One rail 81 is rigidly connected with a triangular plate 811, by means of belts 85,. This plate has `connection with a bolt 86, operating through an elongated slot 87, in the inner end oi' the l ether rail 81. The lower end of the tri- Yangular plate 84C has pivotal connection with .a horizontal crank 88, rigidly secured to a rock shaft 89 -iournaled in -a stationary sleeve or bearing 90. A vertical crank 91 is rigidly secured to the shaft 89. The rod 79 is secured to the vertical crank 91. It is thus seen that when the rails 81 are depressed, the cranks 88 and 91 will turn upon their pivots, and the rod 79 be drawn longitudinally, which movement is imparted to the belt 61', te withdraw it from the opening or notch 64, whereby the post 23 is free te turn. i

In Fig. 13, the numeral 92 designates the fork of the mail bag catching device, carried by the mail car 93. This device is adapted to lbe swung transversely of the car to assume a horizontal position, and this turning movement is effected by a handle 94, the device being carried by a rock shaft 95. WT hen theffork 92 is swung to the outer horizontal position, a cable 96 is pulled downwardly, opening a valve 97, whereby compressed is supplied through a pipe 98, leading into a cylinder 99. A piston 100 is mounted to reciprocate within this cylinder, and is thereby forced downwardly in opposition to a spring` 101, which moves the piston upwardly. llVhen the piston descends, the red 102 is moved downwardly carrying at its lower end a roller 103, which contacts with the rails 81, and serves to depress them. W'hen the arm 92 is returned to the lowered position, the pressure is exhausted from the cylinder 99 and the roller 103 is elevated. The apparatus carried by the mail car 93 is shown and described in my former patent numbered 1,262,069, granted under date of April 9, 1918, and is not claimed per se in this application, it being understood that this .structure is shewn simply fer the purpose of illustration and any other suitable means may be carried by the train or mail car to `depress the rails 81. 1 The operation cf the apparatus is as folows:

If the train is traveling from right to lett, Fig. 2, the arms 31 and 33 of the crane are set parallel to the track-and extend to the right., in an opposite direction to the travel of the train. When the train approaches the trip to the right, and if it is desired to transfer the mail bag from the crane to the mail bag car, the fork 92 is swungto the horizontal mail bag catching position and the roller 103 is thereby low ered, whereby it contacts with the rails 81 and depresses the same. This depression of the rails 81 releases the post 23, which is lhen the post 23 is first released, the spring Y 60 in the weight 58 to the left, is under compression, and this spring coarts with the .veight in quickly turning the shaft, wherebythe arms 31 and 32 will be shiftedto the approximately correct position, by the time the mail car rearhes the same. It the spring were not provided, thesize of the Vweight er weights would have to be materially increased, and this would result in excessive strains and jars to the apparatus when the movement of the post 23 is stopped. IIowever, the, springs 60 only function in the capacity of turning the post 23 at the starting of the .turning movement, and at the stopping of the turning movement they serve to take up the shocks andjars. As soon the mail bag is removed .trein the arms 31 and they autamatically` shift te vertical positions thereby providing ample clearance upon the side of the track.

It is to be understood that the form et my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing `from the spirit oi. the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus ldescribed my invention, I claim:

l. In a mail bag crane of the character described, an upstanding post adapted to be turned upon its longitudinal axis, a crank connected with the post to turn it, a substantially horizontally swinging carrier arconnected with the carrier, a flexible element connected with the crank and passedabout the pulley, a spring secured at its lower end to. said flexible element, and a weight having a bore receiving said springl and having a portion adapted to engage the upper end of said spring. Y

2. In a mail bag crane of the character described, a casing, an upstandingV post operating within the caslng and projecting above the same, mail bag handling means connected with the upper portion of the post, a horizontally swinging crank connected with the post and arranged within the casing, horizontally swingingV carriers arranged within and secured to the casing and positioned upon opposite sides of the crank, flexible elements connected with the crank and passed about the pulleys, springs secured to the flexible elements, weights carried by said springs and means to normally hold the post against turning movement.

3. In a mail bag crane of the character described, an upstanding post adapted to be turned uponits longitudinal axis, mail bag handling means connected with the post, a spring and weight connected with the post to turn it, and means whereby the combined forces of the spring and weight are employed for turning the post at the starting of such movement and the turning action of the springlis cut out after the post has been moved for a predetermined extent.

4. In a mail bag crane of the character described, an upstanding post adapted to be turned upon its longitudinal axis, mail bag handling means connected with the post, a Weight connected with the post to turn it, and a springarrangedvto be compressed by the weight when in the elevated position to aid the weight .in turning the post at the starting of the turning movement, the compression of the spring being dispensed with when the weight descends for a predetermined distance.

5.In a mail bag crane of the character described, anfupstanding post adapted lto be turned upon its longitudinal axis, mail bag handling means connected with the post,"a flexible element connected with the post to turn it, a compressible coil spring connected with the flexible element, a weight carried by the flexible element and arranged above the spring to engage it, and a stop arranged above the weight to contact therewith and cause the weight to compress the spring when in the elevated position, the spring Vbeing released when the weight disengages the stop.

6. In a mail bag crane of thecharacter described, an upstanding post adapted to be turned upon its longitudinal axis', mail bag handling means connected with the post, a flexible element connected with the post to turn it, a compressible coil spring carried by the flexible element, a' weight having a recess'to receive the spring with its uppery portion engagingthe spring, and a stop arranged above the Vweight to contact therewith when the weight is elevated to comand means to hold the post-against turning movement.

8. In a mail bagcrane of the character described, an upstanding post adapted to turn upon its longitudinal axis, a crank connected with the post to turn it, pulleys arf ranged upon the opposite sides of the crank,

cables connected with the crank and passed about the pulleys, compressible coil springs carried by the pulleys, and weights supported bythe compressible coil springs.

9. In apparatus of the character described, means for handling a mail bag and adapted to be shifted toward and away from the track, and a device to shiftthe means toward the track including Va flexible element, a compressible spring carried thereby, a weight arranged above the spring and supported thereby, andan element arranged above and in the path of travel of the weight to engage the weight when it is elen vated for compressing the springs.

In testimony whereof Iailix my signature in presence of twowitnesses. y

EVERETT s. LIvEsAY.

Witnesses Y MARY PERKINS, A. BLrss MCCRUM. 

